Dredge Survey Finds Bay Crab Stocks Up

Tuesday, April 12, 2016
WBAL NewsRadio 1090

The Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population is up this year, state national resources officials say.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources' 2016 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey found a bay-wide crab popularion of 553 million, up 35 percent over last year, which was up 38 percent from the year before that.

“Due to a milder winter, favorable currents and tides, and wise bay-wide management measures, the Maryland crab population continues to rebound and strengthen,” fisheries service director Dave Blazer said in a statement. “With an increase in abundance and steady recruitment, we fully anticipate a robust crab season this year.”

The spawning female stock nearly doubled to 194 million and the adult male stock more than doubled to 91 million, the second highest levels seen since 1995. The number of spawning-age female crabs remains below the state's 215 million target but above the minimum set in 2011. The juvenile crab population is slightly above the 27-year average.

“The results of the survey are good news, for the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population, crabbers, and those who enjoy eating them," said Chris Moore, senior scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, in a statement from the nonprofit. “However, fishery managers should remain cautious as the number of adult, female blue crabs, while increased in this year’s survey, are still below the levels that science recommends."

The results, coupled with last year's harvest level may lead to an increase in harvest limits for female crabs this summer.

“Our experts will now discuss the survey results with our internal and external stakeholders,” Blazer said. “Any modest adjustment to the current regulations, be it season length or bushel limit, will be considered only after the department receives input from all parties."